The Influence of Body Image on Exercise in the Elderly

Bindu Parchuri D.O.Geriatric FellowNJISA

Questions

Is an elderly patient’s perception of aspects of body image such as attractiveness and functionality related to amount of exercise?

Do elderly who exercise feel more attractive and functional than those who do not?

Specific Aims

This study looked at whether there is a relationship between elderly patients’ perception of body image and physical activity

Aspects of body image such as attractiveness and functionality may be used as a positive enabler to help the elderly to initiate, continue and/or increase physical activity

Perhaps elderly patients who exercise more feel more attractive and more functional

Background

Obesity has been increasing in all age groups since the early 1960s– Overall, intentional weight loss has been associated with

decreased mortality and morbidity Exercise in later life has a positive effect on health

– Improves cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine and psychological health

– Associated with decreased mortality and age-related morbidity in older adults

– “35% of individuals aged 65 and older reported engaging in insufficient physical activity and 28% reported being inactive.” (Wallace)

Why don’t the elderly exercise?

Barriers – perceived lack of benefit– lack of motivation– fears of incurring pain– feelings of being too old.

Positive enablers have been shown to be access to facilities and having a companion.

Motivation

Bahram, et al., looked at 120 men and women aged 25 to 65– “active adults had [a] more positive body image than

inactive adults.” Hausenblas, et al., found that exercise improves

body image, regardless of age Tiggemann, et al., also found a positive correlation

between exercise and self esteem – Younger men and women exercised more for attractiveness

and enjoyment than older men and women

Motivation

Heinberg, et al., looked at body image and weight loss maintenance in elderly African Americans with hypertension– Found that subjective body image dissatisfaction

was a positive influence on weight loss Not many studies have focused on the

elderly and their perception of their bodies

Motivation

Understanding factors that relate to exercise may be used in the future to influence the elderly to initiate, continue and/or increase physical activity

Body Image

This study examined different aspects of body image– Do subjects who exercise feel more attractive and

functional than those that do not? – Appearance– Coordination– Overall Global Self Image

Methods

Survey/questionnaire completed prior to lecture

Community dwelling older adults – located through Nutrition Sites in Camden County

Demographics component of Questionnaire PSDQ – Physical Self Description

Questionnaire (Marsh) Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin)

Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire By Godin During a typical 7-Day period (a week), how many times

on the average do you do the following kinds of exercise for more than 15 minutes during your free time (write on each line the appropriate number)– STRENUOUS EXERCISE (HEART BEATS RAPIDLY)– MODERATE EXERCISE (NOT EXHAUSTING)– MILD EXERCISE (MINIMAL EFFORT)

During a typical 7-Day period (a week), in your leisure time, how often do you engage in any regular activity long enough to work up a sweat (heart beats rapidly)?

Participants

Recruited participants from 4 Nutrition Sites in Camden County

Asked about 200 people to participate Obtained 80 completed surveys Participants ranged in age from 70 to 96 and

included both men and women

Results

The participants ranged in age from 70 to 96 with the mean age being 81.3 (SD 6.1)

75% (60) were female 70% (54) were Caucasian; 27.3% (21) were African

American; and 2.6% (2) identified themselves as other.

A majority (55.7%) responded that they did not discuss with their doctor increasing their physical activity.

Results

The subjects used 0 to 13 medications with the mean of 4.8.

80% stated that they were not disabled, 17% of participants considered themselves obese

88% of total participants lived in a single family home or an apartment

14 % lived with a spouse; 36 % lived with a family member; and 49% lived alone

The Three Groups

The three groups were divided according to recommendations based on current CDC guidelines for exercise in adults and on recommendations from Dr. Godin.

The formula used was (Strenuous Ex x 9)+(Moderate Ex x 5)+(Mild Ex x 3)

Minimal – less than 23 Moderate – 24 to 50 Strenuous – over 50

PSDQ Scores by Exercise Group

Group Appearance Coordination GlobalMean St Dev Mean St Dev Mean St Dev

1 (N=45) 4.59 1.13 3.91 1.22 4.5 1.22

2 (N=20) 4.6 1.04 4.47 3.02 4.38 1.50

3 (N=10) 5.08 1.02 4.83 1.32 5.33 1.29

Results

• When scores were examined using Kruskal-Wallis, differences between groups were not significant (Appearance, p =.446; Coordination, p = .279; Global Score, p = .138)

• Among the strenuous exercisers, none considered themselves obese or disabled; 23% of moderate and minimal exercisers considered themselves obese or disabled

Conclusions

• This study explored the relationship between appearance, functionality, body image and total exercise

• There were no statistically significant relationships between amount of exercise and measures of perceived body image

• Of those that did strenuous exercise, 100% did not consider themselves to be disabled or obese

Problems

Not enough participants There were not enough participants who

exercised strenuously Some difficulty having participants complete

entire questionnaire – “Too Long”– Some confusion on how too complete the PSDQ

scale– A few agreed to complete with assistance

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